taking the bump to work - YouLookFab Forum

Angie asked about how dressing for work was going. I made an effort to document this week's outfit to answer the question. When I first started maternity shopping, I decided against buying a suit. I prefer wearing suits as they are part of my power equation but they are not necessary and I figured I have a little wiggle room being pregnant anyway. Additionally, as others have mentioned, maternity wear is not very high quality and I just couldn't justify the price given the quality.

So I'm mostly doing business casual outfits. So far, so good, I think. It's not been without some challenges, though. Modesty is more difficult in maternity dressing. Cleavage is a given in most everything these days. I'm not terribly comfortable with that but there's not a lot I can do about it. Even maternity camis don't offer the kind of coverage I'd like. I also have struggled to find good layering tops. I like to wear a jacket or sweater to add some heft and authority to non-suit outfits. Sweaters especially require sleeves that layer well. Lots of maternity clothes have puffy or otherwise difficult to layer sleeves. Then there's the fact that just so much of maternity wear is really casual.

But here's what I've been pulling together.

Monday - Buying a bunch of stretchy dresses was a good thing to do. This is still nonmaternity. http://i508.photobucket.com/al.....CN0520.jpg

Tuesday - This top is kind of fun because it has grey, black, and brown together, making a mixture of those colors in the others parts of the outfit work well.
http://i508.photobucket.com/al.....CN0522.jpg
with a jacket - http://i508.photobucket.com/al.....CN0521.jpg

Wed - I belted this top but it's pretty cute unbelted, too. And it will be wonderful unbelted as I get bigger and the weather gets warmer.
http://i508.photobucket.com/al.....CN0524.jpg

Thursday - Ok, I kind of look like a Hershey's bar. I would have preferred some kind of interest in the tights but the options for maternity tights are somewhat limited. This is an example of going with what you got. This dress is maternity.
http://i508.photobucket.com/al.....CN0526.jpg

Casual Friday - This is another of those lifesaving non-maternity dresses. http://i508.photobucket.com/al.....CN0529.jpg

Hope that helps answer the question, Angie. Maybe it will help another mom-to-be out along the way, too.

16 years ago

Maya

Veteran

You look so adorable Alecia! Honestly, I never got the whole "pregnant glow" thing. Most pregnant women I have seen look like a mess (sorry, I told you I have a mean streak). You and Patience are shining--nay, glowing--examples.

Re: unstoppable cleavage--I've never been pregnant and I deal with that every day of my life. You'll get used to it (well, sort of): I have convinced myself that there is an obvious difference between someone who can't help showing cleavage and someone who is purposely trying to shove her boobs in everyone's face! I mean, I know there are still arrogant and creepy men and judgmental catty women who will always think that I am purposely trying to be provocative...but I can't let them dictate how I dress or how I feel.

Vani

You are a seriously stylish mom-to-be Alecia! I am loving your darker hair and shorter cut, It just adds a good dose of oomph to everything you wear. I can't even pick a favourite but I have a small crush on the outfit with the studded ankle boots

taylor

Oh Alecia, You look soooo cute each and every day, and I happen to love the Hershey day!! You are rocking this baby bump proudly and with style. I wish I had such confidence(and cute clothes) back in my day!!

LoP

A big whopping wow from me, too! You look stunning every single day. I love all the colors.

Queen Mum

Could you be any cuter?!? Absolutely fabulous!!! Love that colorful dress especially

chewyspaghetti

I love Tuesday's tunic- great maternity style!

Kyle

Alecia. Wow. You look positively gorgeous. The outfits are all just fantastic. I don't even like to think about the stuff I wore 17 years ago! Wednesday's outfit, in particular, is a standout. Those colors are SO flattering.

JuliaInGermany

Active Member

Alecia, you look fabulous! I love your dresses with a jacket.

As for tights, I simply buy regular tights in a larger size and cut a slit into the waistband to make them more comfortable. So far I have not had any problems with it ripping open any further. Perhaps you could try that, too.

mummy2thea

You look amazing, all the outfits are great, and I agree that you have the 'pregnancy glow' going on.

Kari

Alecia, I *love* your work looks. My favorite in this mix is Wednesday's with the beautiful, springy top. I actually didn't realize that was a belt when I saw the picture - I thought that it was built-in! The last outfit with the gray dress, bright blue cardi, and low ankle boots is amazing.

Louise

Super stylish. When i do take the plunge and have kids i hope i can do it as stylishly as all you lovely ladies x

Tricia

You look wonderful. You look better in maternity clothes than most people look in normal clothes! And I love your hair.

So chic! Every outfit is so put together.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Honestly, you have never looked better, Alecia. You score a KILLER rating for the lot! Wow!

Sihaya

Alecia - you are so glowing and so stylish. These are the best outfits to date on you. Love the necklace too.

bella

You are so stinkin' cute and stylish! Have you found out the sex of the baby yet?

Lena

Alecia, you look awesome to the power of awesome!!!

I can't even pick a favorite. I like the neutral-colored outfits; I really like the first bright dress (it looks so good with your hair color).

What kind of necklace are you wearing?

Lili

You look so fab in all outfits - you totally get the pregnancy glow! I am sure you will inspire other moms-to-be and have to say that your shopping strategy sounds perfect to me - some of this stretchy non-maternity dresses might not make it into your third trimester but will make a stylish come back after your child is born. Very savvy!

Kristen

Good LORD, WOMAN!!! I don't think you had been posting many work outfits before you got pregnant, had you? Because your style has grown by leaps and bounds since the days when you were posting in your dimly-lit living room!

Angie is right, you have seriously never looked better. The outfits are soooo stylish, pretty and professional, I am simply blown away. My jaw is agape!

And wow, I really love the darker hair. The blond was lovely too, but that brown is just...you. You are one hot mama!

yublocka

Alecia you are gorgeous. The prints on Mon & tues outfits are amazing. The brown and grey dresses are so flattering on you as well!!

Alecia

Oh wow, ladies. I'm completely overwhelmed. Thank you so much.

Maya, you have truly made my day by putting me anywhere near Patience in terms of style. (Patience, if you are lurking out there, I think of you often!)

Angie and Kristen, I agree with you that I'm looking better than I ever have. How interesting that it's at a time that's otherwise challenging for dressing. I do think that being pregnant has given me a license to shop I don't otherwise give myself. I'm more willing to try things and because I've only got a little time in which I can get into these clothes, I can't wait out trends. Hopefully, I can carry this on post baby. I'd, of course, be remiss if I didn't once again thank you, Angie, and the the ylf ladies profusely for your role in this transformation.

Pregnantmom, what an interesting idea for tights during pregnancy. I'm surprised they hold up when you cut them. I may try but it's starting to warm up here so I may be able to get by with the pregnancy tights I've got. We'll see.

Bella, we're not finding out the sex of the little one. Like everyone else, we're waiting in rapt anticipation until the big day.

Lena, the necklace is thrifted. It's a silver pendant that looks like a big abstract flower.

Laura

Alecia, Wednesday's outfit with those brilliant colors is just plain killer. And you are rocking the knit dresses! I dress like you do all the time and I'm not even preggo The genius of buying knit, non-maternity dresses is that you'll be able to wear them post-baby while you lose the pregnancy weight. No doubt you will help lots of pregnant women wondering what to wear.

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